Microsoft reveals next-gen Kinect for Windows design, teases launch

Microsoft hasn't issued so
much as a mutter about the next-gen Kinect for Windows since first
announcing the device last May, but nearly a year later, the company's
revealed the design of what's essentially the PC port of the Xbox One's
powered-up Kinect.And, well, it looks a lot like the Xbox version, as you can see above.

There are some minor
differences. The PC version says "Kinect" on the top, while the glowing
Xbox logo on the front of the console version has been replaced by a
simpler, non-branded power indicator

The blog post also
revealed the additional components needed to run Kinect for Windows: A
power supply (duh) along with a power brick-like hub that accepts
connections from the sensor and the power supply as well as a USB 3.0
connection for the PC itself.

More importantly than
those minor aesthetic details, the Kinect team says "As this first look
at the Kinect for Windows v2 hardware indicates, we getting closer and
closer to launch." Microsoft hopes to launch the sensor by summer time.

Unfortunately, Kinect for
Windows isn't as consumer-focused as its Xbox counterpart. In fact, it's
not for average users at all. In an interview with Consoleinfo.be last May ,
Kinect for Windows director Bob Heddle made it clear that the focus for
the device is businesses, organizations, and public spaces.

"It’s going to be the
spaces that are stand-up play spaces similar to the living room
experiences," he said. "I would imagine that most consumers will see
this in interactive retail screens, for example … virtual product trial
is very interesting, things like magic mirrors to try on virtual
clothing."

Sorry, PC gamers. Your dreams of mixing the Kinect for Windows's motion controls with Project Spark's wondrous world building won't be made reality.